PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arjay Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Fontana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy comes to the cage accompanied by Feel the Rush. The crowd seem to be enjoying Fontana's choice of entrance music: Queensryche - Silent Lucidity. On his way into the cage it seems that Arjay Murphy has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Arjay Murphy seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Murphy
vs
Fontana

176 cm
22
142 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

170 cm
20
155 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arjay Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Fontana!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy fails with a takedown attempt.
Murphy keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Fontana rushes Murphy and presses him up against the cage.

Fontana jumps into guard, dragging Murphy to the mat.
Fontana wants to stand but Murphy is controlling the position.
Fontana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Murphy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Murphy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fontana wants to stand and escape but Murphy is having none of it.
Fontana looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Murphy is looking to work some ground and pound but Fontana has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Murphy tries to keep at a distance but Fontana has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fontana has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Murphy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Murphy tries to break the clinch but Fontana is controlling the position.
Murphy has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fontana is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Fontana manages to break the clinch.
Murphy has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arjay Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fontana shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Murphy napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fontana misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Fontana creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fontana tries to score with some ground and pound. Murphy controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Fontana working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murphy is pushing Fontana's head away, looking to escape. Fontana manages to hold on to the position though.
Fontana in side control, throwing shots but Murphy defends.
Fontana misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Murphy has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Murphy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fontana.
Murphy struggling a bit here.
Murphy regains half guard, as Fontana was trying to land strikes.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fontana shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense.

Fontana gets a clinch.
Fontana has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Murphy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fontana looks gassed!
Murphy tries to score a body lock takedown but Fontana shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Fontana breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fontana misses with a straight right.
Murphy misses with a looping left.
Fontana tries to land a front kick but Murphy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice straight punches there by Murphy. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Murphy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fontana was well out of range. Poor timing from Murphy.
Murphy swinging wildly here.
Murphy tries to clinch but Fontana is having none of it.
Murphy dives in and grabs Fontana's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fontana pushes down on Murphy's head and hops out.
Fontana scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Fontana ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Fontana cracks Murphy with an open hand slap.

Fontana has Murphy up against the cage in a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Fontana.
Fontana tries for a takedown but Murphy manages to get underhooks.

Fontana has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Murphy uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fontana striking off his back but it's not causing Murphy any problems.
Fontana trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Fontana thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Murphy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fontana throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Fontana pushes Murphy off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murphy digs a good hook to Fontana's body.
Steve Fontana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fontana uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Murphy has time to react.
Fontana takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Murphy is looking to clinch.
Fontana is looking to clinch but Murphy is avoiding it.
Murphy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Murphy tries to clinch but Fontana is having none of it.

Fontana drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Murphy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Murphy pushes Fontana off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Murphy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fontana.
Murphy wants to clinch up but Fontana keeps it at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Murphy wants to clinch up but Fontana keeps it at a distance.
Murphy thuds a left hand into Fontana's body.

Fontana gets caught flat footed, as Murphy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fontana wants to stand up but Murphy is controlling him.
Murphy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fontana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Murphy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fontana tries to strike from the bottom.
Fontana throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Murphy throwing strikes from guard but Fontana blocks nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fontana looks for a takedown but Murphy sprawls well.
Murphy lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Fontana bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Murphy sneaks out the side door and pushes Fontana away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Fontana moves in looking to clinch but Murphy pushes him off.
Murphy thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fontana fails to land the takedown.
Murphy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Fontana will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fontana instigates a clinch.

Fontana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murphy fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fontana is out of range.
Murphy closes the distance and clinches up with Fontana, looking for a takedown. Murphy pushes Fontana against the cage but Fontana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Murphy jumps guard but Fontana stands there with Murphy around his waist. Murphy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Fontana lands a damaging elbow.

Fontana pulls guard effortlessly.
Fontana tries to strike from the bottom.
Murphy throwing strikes but missing.
Fontana is striking from the bottom but Murphy uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fontana defending well though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murphy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fontana wants to get back to his feet.
Murphy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fontana's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fontana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fontana avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Fontana clinches up with Murphy and pushes him back against the cage.

Murphy gets control of Fontana's arms and successfully pulls guard. Murphy will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Fontana stands up from Murphy's guard - Fontana perhaps looking for a knockout.

Murphy has closed the distance and engaged Fontana in a clinch.

Fontana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Fontana forces Murphy back against the cage and clinches.

Fontana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murphy sizes up Fontana with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fontana misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Murphy lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fontana lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fontana paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Fontana drives through and clinches with Murphy against the cage.
Fontana lands an elbow inside.
Fontana connects with a knee to the head.
Murphy tries to score a body lock takedown but Fontana shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arjay Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fontana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fontana needs to keep his hands up - Murphy had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fontana closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fontana is pressed up against the cage. Murphy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fontana down to the mat. Fontana avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Murphy's corner calls for a 1-2. Murphy obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Fontana forces Murphy back against the cage and clinches.
Nice body punch from Fontana.
Murphy takes a knee to the side of the body.

Fontana breaks the clinch.

Fontana closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Fontana jumps into guard, dragging Murphy to the mat.
Fontana keeping moving, preventing Murphy from controlling successfully.
Fontana striking from the bottom.
Murphy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fontana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fontana lands some strikes from the bottom.
Fontana throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Fontana lands some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fontana working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Murphy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Murphy scores with a nice right hand.
Fontana is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Fontana throws a series of punches but Murphy moves out of range.
Fontana takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Steve Fontana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fontana smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Murphy uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Fontana walks into a stiff left hand from Murphy.
Murphy doesn't manage to clinch there - Fontana circles away.
Murphy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Murphy wants it to stay on the feet.
Murphy loads up on a big right hand but Fontana slips the punch.
Murphy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fontana shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murphy scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fontana moves forwards but Murphy connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Fontana decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Murphy on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fontana works his way into full mount!
Murphy tries to hold on but Fontana pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Fontana cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Fontana unloading with bombs!
Fontana sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Murphy tries to hold on but Fontana pushes him away.
Murphy is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Murphy slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Murphy pushes Fontana off looking to stand but Fontana dives back in and keeps control.
Fontana is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Fontana sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Murphy defending well though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fontana not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Murphy wants to control but Fontana is keeping busy.
Fontana prevents Murphy from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Fontana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Murphy tries to keep at a distance but Fontana has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murphy is trying to break free.

Fontana breaks the clinch.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Fontana is avoiding it.
Murphy is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A slow jab from Murphy misses its intended target.
A telegraphed right hand from Murphy misses the target.
Murphy slips a jab and a cross from Fontana.
Murphy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fontana will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fontana shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Murphy but Murphy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown but Fontana shows good takedown defense.
Fontana takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fontana takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fontana moves away from the strike by Murphy.

Fontana shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fontana showed some decent athleticism there.
Murphy is trying to stand up here but Fontana is controlling him well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy tries to roll over but Fontana keeps him under control.
Fontana thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Murphy's head.
Fontana is nestled in close to Murphy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fontana missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Murphy trying to control from the bottom.

Murphy kicks off Fontana and gets to his feet.

Fontana moves into the clinch successfully.

Fontana gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Murphy gets back to full guard.
Fontana throws a big right hand that misses.
Fontana loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fontana throwing strikes but missing.

Murphy uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fontana stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fontana wants it to stay on the feet.
Fontana shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murphy defends it nicely.
Arjay Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Fontana.
Fontana takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fontana bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fontana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Murphy connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A combination from Fontana does no damage.
Fontana has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Murphy throws a shot to the body.
Fontana takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Murphy connects with the punch.
Fontana shoots for a takedown but Murphy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fontana cracks Murphy with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Murphy lands with a straight right. Fontana didn't see that one coming.

Fontana closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Murphy to the mat! Murphy manages to get full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fontana postures up in Murphy's guard and throws a big left but Murphy blocks it.
Fontana cracks Murphy with a solid left hand.
Murphy is looking to stand up but Fontana isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is trying to keep Fontana in close.
Fontana throwing strikes but missing.
Murphy trying to control the position.
Arjay Murphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fontana tries to stand but Murphy is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fontana scores with a kick to the midsection.

Murphy darts in and clinches Fontana up against the cage.
Murphy wants to get back to striking at distance but Fontana won't allow it.
Fontana unloads a knee to the mid-section. Murphy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Fontana breaks from the clinch.
Fontana closes this distance looking for a takedown but Murphy circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Fontana circles away and keeps his distance.
A combination from Murphy does no damage.

Fontana feints and as Murphy raises his hands in defense, Fontana changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Murphy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fontana.
Fontana missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Murphy wants to stand up but Fontana is controlling him.
Murphy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fontana wanted to stand there but Murphy had control of the position.
Fontana throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Murphy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Murphy is looking for a triangle but Fontana pushes his legs off easily.
Fontana chips away with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Fontana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fontana winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Fontana!